Posting stand



S. SEGAL POSTING STAND July 14, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 50,1948 M A ORNEY July 14, 1953 s. SEGAL POSTING STAND 3 Shets-Sheet 2Filed Dec. 50, 1948 INVENTOR A ORNEY July 14, 1953 s. SEGAL 2,645,538

POSTING STAND Filed Dec. 30, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 "4 "II.- r. 10,101.".

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AT? RNEY Patented July 14, 1953 Ltdifii POSTING STAND Samuel Segal, NewYork, N. Y., assignor to Wilson-J ones Company, Chicago, 11]., acorporation of Massachusetts Application December 30, 1948, Serial No.68,310

11 Claims. 1

This invention is a posting stand particularly although not necessarilyadapted for use by book keepers, and one object has to do withconveniently controlled means for quickly setting the depressibleplatform thereof to selected and most suitable elevations. Anotherobject resides in employing the platform in depressing the latter toactuate separable bars for collapsing toggle means pivotally relative tothe base of the stand and against the resistance of adjustable springmeans normally acting to maintain the toggle means extended. Anotherobject is concerned with effectively operable accessible means forlocking the separable bars against displacement relative to the platformto retain the latter at a selected elevation. Another specific object isrealized in arranging the separable bars transversely of and within theplatform to be guided by spaced rods sustained by and disposedlongitudinally of the platform. A further object resides in utilizingabutment means cooperating with the slidably guided separable bars tocompress the springs on downward displacement of the platform relativeto the base. A further object resides in oppositely threading spacedportions of the guide rods to cooperate with similar threaded abutmentmeans for shifting the latter towards or away from each other in thematter of adjusting the springs. Another important object is to providespaced bearings sustained by the platform for rotatably guiding thespaced guide rods to displace threaded abutment means thereon in adirection towards or away from each other to compress or expand theadjustable springs. A still further object is concerned with anuninterrupted and partly threaded rotatable rod cooperating with partlythreaded butterfly slots to detachably lock the slidably guided barsagainst displacement relative to the platform at selected elevations ofthe latter. A "further object is to utilize the springs about thethreaded guide rods to automatically shift the slidably guided barstowards each other upon unlocking of the interrupted rod from the wallsof the partly threaded butterfly slots for automatically elevating theplatform. Another object is to regulate the intensity of the springs tocompensate for the type of load applied to the platform. Other importantobjects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailedspecification considered with the teachings of the accompanying drawingswherein:

Fig. lis a perspective view of the posting stand according to myinvention showing the slidably guided platform in its fully raisedposition.

Fig. 1A is a fragmentary perspective view of the control means foradjusting the tension of the load absorbing spring means.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the platform fullydepressed.

Fig. 3 is an underneath sectional view of the stand shown in Figs. 1 and2 however taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional and broken view on the line 4--4 of Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an underneath sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line l-l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig.3.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the link carrying means and theassociated locking means.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line Ill-4i! of Fig. 9 illustratingthe link carrying means unlocked.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the link carrying'meanslocked.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line 12-!2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a transverse view of one of the indicating blocks or springabutments, and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view illustrating one of the abutment carryingrotatable rods mounted on a bushing sustained by the platform.

The posting stand generally denoted PS comprises channel shapedstandards or posts Ill supported on the swiveled casters II andappropriately fixedly carrying the panel or base B having spaceddepending flanges l2 straddling the lower portions of the transverselyspaced expandible and contractible toggle systems each broadly denotedT. Each toggle system comprises pairs of lower links l3 having theirupper ends pivotally connected to the lower ends of the interveninglinks or bars i i in turn having their upper ends pivotally connected tothe lower ends of the upper links i5 which have their intermediateportions carried and pivoted on fulcrum pin [6 while the intervening orintermediate links are suitably pivoted on the fulcrum pin ll.

Of importance to observe is that the upper ends of links l5 are eachprovided with an opening is (Fig. 8) pivotally surrounding studs l9extending laterally of spaced bars or members 2i]. Axles or studs I!)carry rollers or wheels 2| adapted to roll against the inside surfac 22of the platform or 3 shaped feet 24 slidably nested and retained by thecorner columns or posts 10.

The depending front and rear flanges 23 of platform 23 closely straddlewheels 2| to preclude their accidental removal from their axles [9 whichconstitute fulcrum means for the upper links l5. The lower ends of linksE3 of the toggle systems are pivotally sustained on the fulcrum rod 2'?effectively carried by the spaced depending flanges [2 of the base B,there being spaced relief slots 28 provided in the base B to permitdivergence of the lower links l3.

Extending longitudinall of and within platform 23 are the transverselyspaced rods 33 which 7 project through the unthreaded guide openings 31in the spaced slidably guided bars or members 20. Each rod 33 isrotatably sustained in the bushings or bearings 32 each provided with areduced portion 33 (Fig. 14) fitting into openings 34 in the flanges orspaced depending sides 35 of the platform.

Each rod 33 is provided with left and right threaded portions 36 and 3irespectively cooperating with corresponding internally threaded bores40A in abutment blocks 38 and 39 each having a fixed indicating post 4!projecting into and displaceable relative to an associated slot 42disposed near the indicia or graduation marks as 49, I0, I38 etc. on thetop surface of platform 23.

In part surrounding spaced portions of the spaced rotatable rods 30 onwhich the transversely disposed slidably guided bars 20 are mounted, arethe helicoidal springs 43 having ends abutting against blocks 38 or 39and an adjacent slidably guided bar 20. The arrangement is such thatwhen the platform 23 is depressed by the operator from its fullyelevated position (Fig. 1) the slidably guided bars 20 separate furtherand act to compress springs 33 simultaneously against abutment blocks 38and 39. Conversely when the force applied by the operator tending todepress the platform is removed, these springs auto matically expand,hence urging slidably guided bars 20 towards each other, therebyactuating the upper ends of the upper links l towards each other wherebythe toggles T expand, thus automatically raising platform 23.

For holding the platform in predetermined position of elevations inrespect to base B, effective locking means is provided to preventdisplacement of the parallel but slidably guided bars 20, such lockingmeans taking the form of partly externally threaded or interruptedcylindrical rod 56 having the parallel flat faces 5| to define a reducedpart 53. Attached fixedly to the enlarged portions 5 3 of rod 58 is thehandle or crank 55 and rod 50 has a reduced terminal portion 44rotatably guided in opening 35 in an associated flange35 of the platform23. I

Where the spaced threaded portions 56 of the rods or shaft 53 are clearof internally threaded portions 5'! (Fig. 11) of the butterfly shapedbores 58 in the spaced slidably guided driven bars 23,- rod 53 isunlocked from both of the latter, thus permitting displacement of barstowards or away from each other in case the platform is elevated ordepressed respectively. Butterfly slots 58 also embody end portions 59characterizing with the intermediate zone of the internally threadedportions 57 relatively elongating gaps appreciably wider than thediameter of the partly externally threaded reduced portions 53 of rod53. If therefore handle 55 be operated to arrange shaft 50 to be clearand free of threaded portions 51 (Figs. 9 and 11) the bars 20 are thusunlocked to permit their shifting relative to their spaced guide rods30. This permits the platform to be adjusted to predetermined positionof elevation, and such selected position is retained when the operatinghandle 35 is rotated about ninety degrees whereupon the spaced threadedparts 56 of shaft 33 interlock or engage with the spaced threadedportions 51 of the butterfly slots 58, thus retaining bars 20 in setpositions, precluding displacement of the toggles '1 relative to thebase.

According to the invention, the tension of springs 33 may be adjusted ifdesired. To this end each rod 30 is provided with a non-circularterminal 43 adapted to be actuated by a key K removably fitting intoseveral of the end bushings 32 each carrying an adjustable threaded setscrew ll. Consequently if the shafts 36 be rotated relative torespective bushings 32, abutment blocks 31 and 33 may be shifted towardsor away from the spaced slidably guided bars 20 depending upon theextent of power desired in the springs 43 and such may be regulated bythe aid of the graduation marks on the scales (Fig. 1) adjacent slots 12in the platform.

Briefly recapitulating, the platform 23 of the posting stand is adaptedto effectively support suitable books necessary for office operators whocan quickly adjust the platform to a suitable elevation convenient forworking. This is accomplished by first unlocking rod and thereafter ifthe platform be at a high elevation it may be shifted to a more suitedlower elevation by depressing the same. The platform is held in itsselected position by turning rod 50 to lock the displaceable bars 29against movement relative to the platform.

If the platform be in a lowered position the slidable bars 23 areunlocked from the locking rod 53 and the platform automatically elevatedsince the normal tendency of the helicoidal springs 43 is to urge thebars 20 towards each other thus extending the toggle systems.

Various changes may be made in details of construction and arrangementof parts without departing from the spirit of the invention orsacrificing any of the advantages thereof inherent therein.

I claim:

1. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, means carried by said baseand platform for slidably guiding the latter towards or away from saidbase, apertured bars within said platform, roller means carried by saidbars and riding against said platform, toggle means movably connected tosaid bars and base, rods carried by said platform, said rods projectingthrough the apertures in said bars and slidably guiding said barslengthwise of said platform, abutment means on said rods, said abutmentmeans being spaced from said bars longitudinally relative to saidplatform, and spring means interposed between said bars and abutmentmeans to actuate said bars for extending said toggle means to elevatesaid platform.

2. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, means carried by said baseand platform for slidably guiding the latter towards or away from saidbase, shiftable bars arranged transversely of said platform and havingguide openings, roller means carried by said bars and riding againstsaid platform, toggle means pivotally sustained on said base and havingdiverging portions movably connected to said bars, spaced rods carriedby said platform and projecting through said openings for slidablyguiding said bars lengthwise of said platform and 1 each havingoppositely threaded portions, spaced abutment means, disengageablelocking means to preclude displacement of said bars relative to saidrods, and helicoidal spring means interposed between said abutment meansand bars for actuating the latter to shift said diverging portionstowards each otherto extend said toggle means to automatically elevatesaid platform pursuant to unlocking of said locking means.

3. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, means carried by said baseand platform for slidably guiding the latter towards or away from saidbase, shiftable bars arranged transversely of said platform and havingguide openings, roller means carried by said bars and riding againstsaid platform, toggle means movably interposed between said bars andbase, spaced rods carried by said platform and projecting through saidopenings for slidably guiding said bars lengthwise of said platform andeach having oppositely threaded portions, spaced abutment means on eachof said rods and having cooperative threaded means engaging saidoppositely threaded portions, disengageable locking means to precludedisplacement of said bars relative to said rods, and helicoidal springmeans interposed between said abutment means and bars for actuating thelatter to extend said toggle means to automatically elevate saidplatform pursuant to unlocking of said locking means.

4. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, bearing means on saidplatform, means carried by said base and platform for slidably guidingthe latter towards or away from said base, shiftable bars arrangedtransversely of said platform and having guide openings, roller meanscarried by said bars and riding against said platform, toggle meansmovably interposed between said bars I and base, spaced rods rotatablycarried by said bearing means and projecting through said openings forslidably guiding said bars lengthwise of said platform and each havingoppositely threaded portions, spaced abutment means on each of said rodsand having cooperative threaded means engaging said oppositely threadedportions, disengageable locking means to preclude displacement of saidbars relative to said rods, and helicoidal spring means interposedbetween said abutment means and bars for actuating the latter to extendsaid toggle means to automatically elevate said platform pursuant tounlocking of said locking means.

5. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, bearing means on saidplatform, means carried by said base and platform for slidably guidingthe latter towards or away from said base, shiftable bars arrangedtransversely of said platform and having guide openings, roller meanscarried by said bars and riding against said platform, toggle meansmovably interposed between said bars and base, spaced rods rotatablycarried by said bearing means and projecting through said openings forslidably guiding said bars lengthwise of said platform and each havingoppositely threaded portions, spaced abutment means on each of said rodsand having cooperative threaded means engaging said oppositely threadedportions, disengageable locking means to preclude displacement of saidbars relative to said rods, helicoidal spring means interposed betweensaid abutment means and bars for actuating the latter to extend saidtoggle means to automatically elevate said platform pursuant tounlocking of said locking means, and key receiving means extending fromsaid rods into said bearing means for rotating said rods for shiftingsaid abutment 6 means towards or away from each other to vary theintensity ofsaid springs.

6. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, bearing means on saidplatform, means carried by said base and platform for slidably guidingthe latter towards or away from said base, shiftable bars arrangedtransversely of said platform and having guide openings, roller meanscarried by said bars and riding against said platform, toggle meanspivotally supported on said base and having diverging portions movablyconnected to said bars, spaced rods rotatably carried by said bearingmeans and projecting through said openings for slidably guiding saidbars lengthwise of said platform and each having oppositely threadedportions, spaced abutment means on each of said rods and havingcooperative threaded means engaging said oppositely threaded portions,disengageable locking means to preclude displacement of said barsrelative to said rods, helicoidal spring means interposed between saidabutment means and bars for actuating the latter to shift said divergingportions towards each other to extend said toggle means to automaticallyelevate said platform pursuant to unlocking of said locking means, andkey receiving means extending from said rods into said bearing means forrotating said rods for shifting said abutment means towards or away fromeach other to regulate the intensity of said springs.

7. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, bearing means on saidplatform, means carried by said base and platform for slidably guidingthe latter towards or away from said base, shiftable bars arrangedtransversely of said platform and having guide openings, roller meanscarried by said bars and riding against said platform, toggle meansmovably interposed between said bars and base, spaced rods rotatablycarried by said bearing means and projecting through said openings forslidably guiding said bars lengthwise of said platform and each havingoppositely threaded portions, spacedabutment means on each of said rodsand having cooperative threaded means engaging said oppositely threadedportions, disengageable locking means to preclude displacement of saidbars relative to said rods, helicoidal spring means interposed betweensaid abutment means and bars for actuating the latter to extend saidtoggle means to automatically elevate said platform pursuant tounlocking of said locking means, key receiving means extending from saidrods into said bearing means for rotating said rods for shifting saidabutment means towards or away from each other to regulate the intensityof said springs, and indicating means to assist in controlling theintensity of said springs.

8. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, means carried by said baseand platform for slidably guiding the latter towards or away from saidbase, shiftable bars arranged transversely of said platform and'havingguide openings, roller means carried by said bars and riding againstsaid platform, toggle means havinglower portions pivoted relative tosaid base and having upper diverging portions movably connected to saidbars and actuated by the latter to extend said toggle means on elevatingsaid platform relative to said base on movement of said bars towardseach other and said upper portions being actuated away from each otherto collapse said toggle on lowering of said platform for shifting saidbars away from each other, spaced rods carried bysaidplatform andprojecting through said openings for slidably guiding said barslengthwise of said platform, abutment means on said rods, locking meansto preclude displace ment of said bars relative to said rods, andhelicoidal spring means interposed between said abutment means and barsfor actuating the latter to extend said toggle means to automaticallyelevate said platform pursuant to unlocking of said locking means.

9. In a posting stand, a base, a platform having slots, bearing means onsaid platform, means carried by said base and platform for slidablyguiding the lattertowards or away from-said base, shiftable barsarranged transversely of said platform and having guide openings, rollermeans carried by said bars and riding against said platform, togglemeans having lower portions pivoted relative to said base and havingupper diverging portions movably connected to said bars and actuated bythe latter to extend said toggle means on elevating said platformrelative to said base on movement of said bars towards each other andsaid upper portions being actuated away from each other to collapse saidtoggle on lowering of said platform for shifting said bars away fromeach other, spaced rods rotatably carried by said bearing means andprojecting through said openings for slidably guiding said barslengthwise of said platform and each of said rods having oppositelythreadedportions, spaced abutment means on each of said rods and havingcooperative threaded means engaging said oppositely threaded portions,disengageable locking means to preclude displacement of said barsrelative to said rods, helicoidal spring means interposed between saidabutment means and bars for actuating thelatter to extend said togglemeans toautcmatically elevate said platform pursuant to unlocking ofsaid locking means, key receiving means extending from said rods intosaid bearing means for rotating said rods for shifting said abutmentmeans towards or away from each other to vary the intensity of saidsprings, posts extending from said abutment means and movably guided insaid slots, and means to indicate the extent of displacement of saidposts relative to said slots.

10. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, bearing means on saidplatform, means carried by said base and platform for slidably guidingthe latter towards or away from said base, shiftable bars arrangedtransversely of said platform and having guide openings, roller meanscarried by said bars andriding against said platform, toggle meanshaving lower portions pivoted relative to said baseand having upperdiverging pertions movably connected to said bars and actuated by thelatter to extend said toggle means on elevating said platform relativeto said base on movement of said bars towards each other or to collapsesaid toggle on lowering of said platform for shifting said bars awayfrom each other, spaced rods rotatably carried by said bearing means andprojecting through said openings for slidably guiding said barslengthwise of said platform and each of said rods having oppositelythreaded portions, spaced abutment means on each of said rods and havingcooperative threaded means engaging said oppositely threaded portions,disengageable locking means to preclude displacement of said barsrelative to said rods, helicoidal spring means interposed between saidabutment means and bars for actuating the latter to extend said togglemeans to automatically elevate saidplatform pursuant to unlocking ofsaid locking means, and key receiving means extending from said rodsinto said bearing means for rotating said rods for shifting saidabutment means towards or away from each other to vary the intensity ofsaid springs.

11. In a posting stand, a base, a platform, means carried by the baseand platform for slidably guiding the latter towards or away from saidbase, shiftable bars arranged transversely of said platform, guide meansin each of said bars, roller means carried by said bars and ridingagainst said platform, toggle means movably interposed between said barsand base, rods extending longitudinally of said platform and engagingsaid guide means to guide said bars longitudinally of said platform,abutment means positioned in the horizontal plane of said bars andspaced there from longitudinally relative to said platform, and springmeans interposed between said abutment means and bars to facilitate themovement of the platform away from said base.

. AMU EL SEGAL.

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